Ingram Road bridge on track for fall opening

Updated 12:42 am, Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Construction on the new Ingram Road bridge is still in progress and should be open to traffic by this November.

Construction on the new Ingram Road bridge is still in progress and should be open to traffic by this November.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT

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Construction on the new Ingram Road bridge is still in progress and should be open to traffic by November. The 1,716 foot long bridge extends over Leon Creek and Huebner Creek and is approximately 33 feet from the flow line of Leon Creek to the centerline of the roadway. (Tuesday July 19, 2011). (This view is looking towards the east.) JOHN DAVENPORT/jdavenport@express-news.net

Construction on the new Ingram Road bridge is still in progress and should be open to traffic by November. The 1,716 foot long bridge extends over Leon Creek and Huebner Creek and is approximately 33 feet from

Precinct 2 County Commissioner Paul Elizondo (center) speaks to the media about about the progress being made on the construction of the Ingram Road bridge. The 1,716 foot long bridge (above) will be open this November and crosses over Leon Creek and Huebner Creek. On the left is Dave Wegmann, Capital Programs Manager for Bexar County, and on the right is County Engineer Renee Green.

Precinct 2 County Commissioner Paul Elizondo (center) speaks to the media about about the progress being made on the construction of the Ingram Road bridge. The 1,716 foot long bridge (above) will be open this

Construction on the new Ingram Road bridge is still in progress and should be open to traffic by this November.

Construction on the new Ingram Road bridge is still in progress and should be open to traffic by this November.

Photo: JOHN DAVENPORT

Ingram Road bridge on track for fall opening

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Construction of a lofty new bridge over a perilous low water crossing on Ingram Road is on pace for completion before the holiday shopping season, officials said Tuesday.

The 1,716-foot span over Leon and Huebner creeks, a $7.4 million project undertaken by Bexar County, was designed to be a lifesaver. When it goes into use by year's end, motorists who ignore flood warnings and barricades no longer will be able to drive themselves into trouble.

The project is part of a 10-year, $500 million flood-control program that began in 2007. Early on, the site was identified as one of the most dangerous low water crossings in the county. Next came years of coordination among the county, city, utilities, schools, businesses and VIA.

“This stretch of roadway is notoriously dangerous for flooding and authorities have had to close this every time we have a significant rain event,” said county engineer Renee Green. The four-lane bridge with sidewalks and lighting — about 30 feet above the currently dry creekbeds — will keep the major artery open even during a severe 100-year flood, she said.

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The project's benefits have come at a cost to area merchants and commuters who rely on Ingram Road. Closed since January, the road is a heavily used link from Culebra and Potranco roads to Loop 410 and Ingram Park Mall.

Precinct 2 Commissioner Paul Elizondo said dry weather continues to help keep the construction on schedule. Work is expected to be finished by Oct. 31.

“We gave our word to the community that we would have it done by the holiday season, and it looks like we're totally on schedule,” Elizondo said. “I'm sure the merchants at Ingram Park Mall appreciate that, too,” he said.